Production recording device



May 15, 1923 M. J. HOFFMAN PRODUCTION RECORDING DEVI CE Filed Sept. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet l MP E ELL @1250;

May 15,1923. 1,455,530

M. J. HOFFMAN PRODUCTION RECORDING DEVICE FLLldieut. 8. 1921 2 Shoots-Shut 2 g .5, m .35 m z/ 2% IT 3 33 2b sum 60 I2 I606! sum 52 so [6067.

; venting fraud. The

Patented May 15, 1923.

MORRIS J. HOFFMAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

PRODUCTION RECORDING DEVICE.

Application filed September 8, 1921. Serial No. 499,312

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MORRIS J. HOFFMAN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, Cook County, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Production Recording Devices, of which the following is declared to be a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to production recording devices, and its principal object is to provide a simple and efficient device by means of which individual records may be easily kept of work done by employees upon an article, or a lot, or number of articles of like kind.

The invention is particularly applicable for use in establishments that manufacture articles which require many workmen to perform different operations on the article from the time its construction is commenced, until the finished article is produced. Another object is to provide a simple device which is convenient to operate, requires no particular attention and accurately records each individual workmans labor on the article or lot of articles. As an example, in the shoe manufacturing industry, the work passes through a great many hands from the time its construction is initiated until a finished shoe is produced. Each workman performs a certain kind of labor upon the shoe and the value of the services performed by the one workman is, or may be, greater or less than that performed by another. Much confusion has arisen owing to the difficulty in. keeping an accurate account of each workmans services and alsoconsiderable diificulty has been encountered in-prepresent invention designs to eliminate these objections and to provide a simple printing device which is locked against tampering by an unauthorized person and which is automatic in certain of its features and can be readily adjusted to print the necessary information upon a card or ticket, which each employee retains in his possession until it is turned in for credit or payment to him for his services.

The invention contemplates a production recording device of small and compact form, and it is intended to accompany each lot of articles, (which are in the course of construction), from one workman to another, whereby when each workman has performed his labor on the lot .of articles, he may make a correct record on a card or ticket, identifying the particular work done by him, the price, if desired, thenumber of articles in the lot and the lot number.

With all of these objects and advantages in view, this invention consists in the several novel features of construction, arrangement and combination of parts hereinafter fully set forth and claimed.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanymg drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a plan, part-ly'broken away, of a production recording device embodying a simple form of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a vertical, central, longitudinal section taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a vertical crosssection taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a detail plan of a fragment of the base and its cover; Fig. 5 is a detail, vertical, longitudinal section through the base and cover, showing the connections therebetween; Fig. 6 is a plan of an ink ribbon used in connection with the device; Fig. 7 is a detail, fragmental plan, showing certain type ring actuating mechanism; Fig. 8 is a detail, vertical cross-section taken on the line 88 of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a face view of the fragment of a card or ticket which may be used in connection with the device, and Fig. 10 is a fragmental face view illustrating a stopmechanism.

Referring to said drawings, the reference character 10 designates the base or body portion of the device, which may, as a preference, be of circular formation, as shown, and forms the support for the working parts of the device. A central recess 11 is formed in the base for the reception of type wheels 12, 13, which are rotatably mounted on a spindle 14 fixedly secured in the base portion. Said spindle 14 extends diametrically through the recess of the base, and the type wheels 12, 13, are arranged side by side upon the spindle 14 and spaced apart by washers or discs 14?, 14 or by hubs formed on the wheels. The type wheels 12 are arranged in one group and the type wheels 13 are arranged in a second group, spaced away from the first group, and each type wheel bears type characters upon its peripheral edge, which type characters as a preference, may comprise the digits 0 to 9, whereby any desired number, containing one or more digits, may be set up and printed. Diametri-cally 0 posite the type characters on each type w ieel are type characters corresponding to the opposite ones, and in the lower side of the base is a slot 15 which runs arallel with the spindle 14, through whi the type wheels may be observed and through which they may be moved to bring in the desired type character or combination of type char acters into printin position-that .is to say, into alignment at t e upper side of the base. The duplicate typle characters enable one to observe through t e slot 15, which type charactor is placed at the printin position. v

Surrounding the type whee 12, 13,15 an arcuate member 17, preferably in the form of a ring, which is mounted to turn upon an ans concentric with respect to the axis of the base, and said type ring 17 bears type characters dis osed around its upper face, any of which is adapted to be brought nto printin position, that is to say, into alignment with the type of the type wheels which are in printing position. The type may be provided upon the type carrying ring 17 in various manners. For instance, type slugs or type 18 may be provided, which are separate from the type carrying ring 17 v and which are arranged to be placed in re cesses or holes 19, formed in the type carrying rin 17. The type slugs or type 18 are prefera ly provided with shoulders 20 adacent their upper faces, which shoulders rest upon the type carrying ring 17. The

. recesses 19 are arranged circumferentially v the ty tion,

about the ring 17, and extend radially thereof, as is clearly shown in Fig. 1, so that when any slug contained in a recess is brought into alignment with the type ch wheels, which are in'printing posie said t e slu will stand in a ignment with sai type c aracters of the tyBpe wheels, which-are in printing position. y providing removable type slugs or type 18, the device ma be furnished with type slugs having type c aracters describing t e names of the several operations required to construct any of the articles manufactured in any establishment, so that the type carrying ring may be set with the necessary type slugs to print all of the operations necessary to construct a completed article or to construct an article up to a certain stage of completion.

In some cases it ma be found referable to provide the type c aracters o the type carrying ring in one piece, as for instance on. a removable and interchangeable type ring 21, or other information, as for instance the prices paid for the several operations, may be indicated by type characters on the ring 21. Said ring 21 may be used in connection with other type characters on the type carrying ring 17, or it may be substituted for them. It is sup orted by the main ring 17, with its type ii printing position.

aracters ofcover is held. The other end of the cover aracters flush with the type characters carried by the main ring 17, and it is held against rotation relative to the rin 17 by a" pin 22 secured in the rin 17, w 'ch enters a hole 23 in the remova le ring 21. The type characters on the removable ring, like those on the main ring 17 are arranged circumferentially about the removable ring, in lines runn' radially of the ring, in order that any 0 the type characters thereof may be brought into printing position in alignment with the type characters of the type wheels, when in By providing a type carryin ring around the type wheels, a relative y large number of words, indicating operations or other information, may be used.

A cover plate 24 overlies the base, type wheels and type rings,and incloses the t wheels and type nngs. Said cover pfi t: has a radially extending slot 25 through which the type characters, which are in printing position, are exposed and between said cover, and the type characters which are in printing position, is an ink ribbon 26 (see Figs. 5 and 6) which is slightly wider than the slot 25 and is secured to the underside of the cover by hooks or the like 27 secured to the cover and engaging in eyes 28 formed in metal clips that are attached to the ends of the ink ribbon. The cover 25 is removably secured on the base and is locked thereto, in order that it may not be removed by an unauthorized person. For removably securing the cover to the base, I have shown the base as provided with oppositely disposed lugs 29 at one side, between which a'tongue 30 on one end of the is provided with a downturned fla 31, which covers approximately one-half of the side of the base, and type rings, and a lock 32 is provided on said flange for locking the cover to the base, it being understood that the lock bolt of the lock engages with a suitable keeper on the base. In order to obtain access to the parts below the cover the lock 32 is first unlocked, the cover raised slightly and withdrawn from the lugs 29. To replace it, the end or tongue 30 of the cover is inserted between the lugs 29 and the cover swung down and locked in place. The type wheels are locked against movement when the cover is locked in place, so

as to prevent unauthorized manipulation 1 thereof. The lock for the type wheels may comprise one or more lock bars 12' secured t the underside of the cover and arranged to enter notches in the peripheral edges of the type wheels. (See Fig. 3.) Upstanding 1 guide legs 24 are provided on the cover against which the workmans card is placed to properly position it over the type characters.

For making impressions on a card, or v1 ticket, a platen 33 is provided, which is secured to a handle 34 pivotally supported on ears 35 formed on the base, and arranged to be swung down, to guide the platen to and through the slot 25 in the cover. A pivot pin 36 pivotally connects the handle member 34 with the ears 35 and a spring 37, interposed between the handle member and base, acts to swing the handle member upward into inoperative position to leave the space between the cover and platen free for the insertion of the card or ticket between the type and platen. The handle 34 is provided with a knob 38, whereby the handle and platen may be manipulated in making impressions.

The handle 34 and type carrying ring 17 are formed with co-acting membersforieffecting a step by step rotation of the ring 17, each time the handle is manipulated, so as to bring a succeeding type character or type slug into printing position, after an impression has been made. Conveniently, said mechanism may comprise-teeth 39 on the peripheral edge of the ring 17, and a dog or pawl 40 on the handle 34 which engages the teeth and advances the ring one step each time the handle is manipulated. I have shown inclined teeth on the ring 17 and a spring pressed dog or pawl 40 pivoted between ears 41 on the handle, which dog en gages and rides up the inclined face of a tooth each time the handle is raised, thereby partially rotating the ring. The dog has a shoulder 42 which engages a corresponding shoulder 43 on the handle, thereby preventing rotation of the dog on its pivot, in one direction, and the spring 44 holds the dog in engagement with the shoulder 43, except when the handle is moved downwards, in which case the spring permits the dog to swing laterally and follow down between the teeth of the ring and the range of up and down movement of the dog is sulficient to bring the dog under the lower edge of the tooth, whereupon the spring returns it to effective or operative position. A spring pressed detent 45 pivoted to the base and engaging with the teeth of the ring maybe used to prevent retrograde movement of the ring 17.

Inasmuch as the number of operations on a given article may be different and of a more or less number than those on a different article, I provide means whereby the type carrying ring may be set at the proper place on the base, so that movement of the ring will be stopped when the type characters designating the last operation on the article, or the last up to a given stage of completion, have done their printing, whereby when the last operation has been recorded, the device cannot be further manipulated until it is reset by one having a key to unlock it. For this purpose a knob, pin, or projection, as for instance .one of the teeth 39, may project below the ring 17 and the projecting part may travel in a groove 10 in the base, to a shoulder 10 at the end of the groove, against which the projection 39 strikes when the final record of the series has been made. Said knob or projection 39 also acts as a pointer, and a printed scale or other identifying medium 10 may be placed on the side of the base, which may have numbers or other identification marks by means of which the keeper of the device, or other authorized person may properly set the type carrying wheel, so that each workman may record the work done by him, and when the last work has been done the ring will be automatically stopped against further movement.

A bail or eye 46 may be provided upon the base, whereby the device may be suspended from a nail, hook or the like.

In use, the type wheels 13 are set to correspond with the lot number of the articles to be produced, the type wheels 12 set to correspond with the number of articles in the lot, and the ring 17 fitted with slugs or type designating the several operations, required to make the article, which slugs are arranged in proper sequence around the ring to correspond with the sequence of operations. The ring 17 is then placed on the base with the pointer 39 opposite the proper number or other identifying medium on the scale 10, which will permit rotation of the ring until the lastoperation of the series has been recorded. The cover is then placed on the base and locked in place, and the device is connected up in some manner with the lot, as by attaching it to the rack or other container for the lot. The workmen are provided with cards or tickets (A), Fig. 9, and the first workman to erform any work on the article, after per orming such work, inserts the card or ticket under the platen, and depresses the handle, as for instance by giving it a smart blow, and makes an impression on his card from the type then in printing position. to inactive position, it advances the ring 17 one step, bringing the next adjacent type slug or type of the ring into printing position, which slug or type designates the operation or the operator who performs the next operation on the articles, and he proceeds as before described. In this manner an account is kept with each workman of the character of work performed, the quantity or number in each lot, and the lot number. \Vhen the last work has been recorded, the pointer or knob strikes against the shoulder 10, thereby preventing the further operation of the ring. The device accompanies the lot until completion, or up to a certain stage of completion, if the number of operations thereon are more than the number of slugs or type in the ring 17, a second ring at As the handle raises this point may be substituted for the one in the device and the work may continue. In this way an accurate account is made of each workmans labor, upon the article, for which he is given credit. I

The parts are easily manipulated, the ring 21 may be readily changed for another, and the device is secured against fraudulent manipulation by the locked cover. It saves a great deal of time and labor in the keeping account of workmens labor and effectively prevents fraud.

More or less variation of the exact details of construction is possible without departing from the spirit of this invention; I desire, therefore, not to limit myself to the exact form of the construction shown and described, but intend, in the following claims, to point out all of the invention disclosed herein.

I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A production recording device, comprising a base, a plurality of type carriers rotatively mounted thereon, certain of which are free to rotate and others locked against rotation, means for advancing one freely rotatable type carrier solely in a step by step manner, an impression making bar, and a lock controlled. cover for enclosing said type carriers.

2. A production recording device, comprising a base, adjustable type carriers rotatively mounted thereon, a removable interchangeable type carrying ring rotatively mounted on said base around said adjustable type carriers, means for advancing said ring solely in a step by step manner, an impressionbar, and a lock controlled cover for inclosing said type carriers and type carrying ring. 3. A production recording device, comprising a base, adjustable type carriers rotatively mounted thereon, a removable interchangeable type carrying ring rotatively mounted 011 said base around said adjustable type carriers, means for advancing said ring in a ste by step manner, an impression bar, an a lock controlled cover having a slot through which type are exposed, and a flange extending down over said base, whereby said type carriers and ring are secured against unauthorized manipulation.

4. A production recording device com- -prising a base having a recess extending down from its top, and opening out through the bottom of the base through a slot, a plurality of type carriers rotatively mounted in said recess, and accessible through said slot, a removable type carrying ring rotatively mounted on said base around said type carriers and arranged to print I in'the same plane as said type carriers,

means for advancing said ring in a step by step manner, an impression bar and a lock controlled cover overlying said type carriers and ring and having a slot formed therein, through which the impression bar may pass to the type on the type carriers and rin 5. A production recording device comprising a base, a group of type wheels rotatively mounted therein and bearing numerical type characters, releasable means for holding said type wheels against rotation, an arcuate type member bearing t pe characters arranged circumferential y about said type member, said type wheels and type member being arranged to print in one and the same plane, an impression bar, a handle for operating said impression bar, operative connections between' said handle and type member for advancing the same in a step by step manner, when the handle is actuated in one direction, and a lock controlled cover for inclosing said type wheels and type member, said cover having a slot through which the impression bar may pass to the type characters.

6. In a production recordin device, a fiat type carrying ring having 5 ug holding pockets arranged circumferenti-ally about its flat face, means for rotating said ring solely in a step by step manner, and interchangeable type slugs removably secured in the pockets of said rin 7. In a production recording device, a fiat type carrying ring, type characters circumferenti-ally arranged about the flat face of said ring, means for rotating said ring solely in a step by step manner, and an interchangeable type ring bearing type characters related to the type characters on the type carrying ring, said interchangeable type ring being remov-ably secured to said type carrying ring with the respective type characters on the t pe carrying ring and type ring held in efinite relation to each other.

8. In a production recording device, a base, type vwheels rotatively mounted thereon, a type carrying ring having a central unobstructed opening in which said type wheels are located, and having ty characters disposed circumferentially a at the same, means for rotating said type carrying ring in a step by step manner, and an interchangeable t pe ring bearing type characters dispose circumferenti-ally about the same, said t pe ring being removably secured to sai type carrying" ring with the respective type characters of the type carrying ring held in definite relation to the type characters of the interchangeable type rlng.

9. In a production recording evice, a base, notched t pe wheels rotatively mounted thereon, a ock controlled cover removablv mounted on said base and overlying said type wheels, and a lock bar on said cover arranged to enter notches in the type wheels to prevent rotation thereof when the cover is in place.

10. In a production recording device, a type wheel supporting base, type wheels and type carrying rings mounted on said base, a cover removably secured to said base and having a slot over the type wheels and type carrying rings, ribbon holding elements on the under side of said cover, and a short strip of ink ribbon located under said cover and having co-acting holding means on its ends removably secured to the ribbon holding means on the cover, said holding means acting to hold said ink ribbon under said slot, and said type ribbon being removable with said cover, whereby when said cover is removed from the base the type under the ribbon. are uncovered.

11.'A production recording device comprising, a base, a type carrying ring rotatively mounted thereon and bearing type characters, designating operations, circumferentially arranged about the same, means for rotating said ring in a step by step manner, a group of type Wheels rotatively mounted in said base and bearing numerical type characters designating quantities, a second group of type wheels rotatively mounted in said base and bearing numerical type characters designating lot numbers, and means for locking said type wheels against rotation.

12. A production recording device comprising, a base, a type carrying ring rotatively mounted thereon and bearing type characters, designating operations circumferentially arran ed about the same, means for rotating sai ring in a step by step manner, a group of type wheels rotatively mounted in said base and bearing numerical type characters designating quantities, a secondv group of type wheels rotatively mounted in said base and bearing numerical type characters designating lot numbers, and a lock controlled cover overlying said type ring and wheels, and having a slot through which impressions may be made from said type characters.

13. In a production recording device, a type carrying ring having type characters disposed circumferentially about the same, means for moving the same solely in a step by step manner, and stop mechanism for arresting movement of said type carrying ring at a predetermined place.

14. In a production recording device, a type carrying ring having removable and replaceable type characters, disposed circumferentially about the same, an indicating medium, whereby the type carrying ring may be properly set, and stop mechanism for arresting movement of said ring at a predetermined place.

15. A production recording device, comprising a base having a central recess, a plurality of type wheels mounted on a horizontal axis in said recess, and locked against rotation, a plurality of type rings mounted on said base and surrounding said type wheels, means for advancing said type rings solely in a step by step manner, an impression making bar, and a cover secured to said base'over said type wheels and type rings, and having a s ot for exposing type on said type wheels and type rings.

MORRIS J. HOFFMAN. 

